Tulsi or Tulasi or Vaishnavi or Holy Basil is a sacred plant of India with great spiritual, medicinal and therapeutic value in Hindu belief. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi; who was a great worshipper of the god Vishnu. In Hindu rituals, Tulsi leaves are offered in every havan and ritualistic worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. Tulsi leaves are widely used in several ancient systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha, and Unani. Our ancestors used Tulsi widely as home remedy for treatment of injury, respiratory disorders, hepatic disorders, viral infection, earache, spinal pain, hiccup, inflammation of the conjunctiva in new-borns. Tulsi is well known for treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, stomach disorders, chronic fever and insect bite. Tulsi plant parts and its chemical constituents showed various pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, antistress, and immunomodulatory activities. It also have ambrosial, appetiser, helps to relieving flatulence, helps to cure mucus irritation, inducing perspiration, diuretic, expectorator, anthelmintic and antipyretic properties.
Tulsi extracts acts as a detoxifying, cleansing, and purifying agent. It acts like a broad spectrum antibiotic and shows antiviral, antibacterial and anti-carcinogenic efficacies. It is commonly used for relieving from fever, headache, sore throat, cold, cough, flu, and chest congestion. Fine meshed leaves in slurry are good for skin when applied topically. It is also used for treatment of skin disorders, itching and issues like ringworms. Its leaf extract or fresh green leaves are used into teas or can be had raw, powdered, paste or in form herbal supplements. Tulsi tea or Kara is highly effective in treating respiratory ailments like chronic bronchitis, and asthma. It relieves from stress, restore and improve body immunity and digestion. Regular consumption of Tulsi leaves can also aid in balancing various bodily processes. It counters elevated blood sugar levels and is highly beneficial in diabetes, cancer, and chronic bronchitis. It helps in regulating uric acid levels in body, thereby eliminating risk of kidney stones.
Hot water leaf extract is highly useful in getting rid of cold and flu. The decoction prepared by mixing honey, ginger, and Tulsi leaves is quite helpful in combating bronchitis, influenza and asthma. A hot concoction of Tulsi leaves is found extremely beneficial during the rainy season, and provide immediate relief in cold, sneezing nose, cough, malaria, and dengue. The juice extracted from Tulsi leaves is usually provided to bring down high fever. Tulsi leaves are widely used due to their healing power. It is a tonic for the nervous system, and thus, helps a great deal in sharpening the memory. In sore throat, the leaves of Tulsi leaves are boiled in water and decoction given for gargling. Tulsi has the ability to strengthen the kidneys. For those suffering from the problem of renal kidney stones, the decoction prepared by mixing the juice of Tulsi leaves with honey, if taken sincerely for 6 consecutive months can oust these stones via the urinary tract. Tulsi helps in lowering the level of cholesterol in blood and beneficial in kidney stones. Tulsi plant serves as the most effective remedy to combat cardiac diseases. Tulsi based medicines help in maintaining normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body which can easily wards off harmful effects of free radicals. Tulsi is highly useful in treatment of respiratory disorders. This aromatic plant supports the removal of phlegm and catarrhal matter from the bronchial tube.
Tulsi leaves are widely used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicine for treatment of many diseases and disorders. Plant has vast number of therapeutic applications such as in leukoderma, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhal fever, otalgia, hepatopathy, vomiting, lumbago, hiccups, ophthalmia, gastropathy, genitourinary. disorders, ringworm, verminosis and skin diseases. So planting a Tulsi in our backyard will yield a healthy & prosperous life, as health will boost your everyday harmony which leads to prosperity.
